Linwood plans proactive policy on adult businesses

Ordinance would give township say in location

Linwood supervisors are trying to anticipate requests to establish adult businesses in the township.

Linwood Attorney Michael Haag has reviewed the city of Wyoming’s ordinance relating to these enterprises. They cannot be prohibited, but restrictions can be placed on the location within a community.

The Town Board on Aug. 27 instructed Haag to draft an ordinance patterned after the one in Wyoming, which is an adaptation of that adopted by Taylors Falls. It will applicable to Linwood’s particular setting. Supervisor Ed Kramer said the township should “do it before they’re knocking at the door.”

In addition, Haag will be drafting a second ordinance dealing with areas within the township where sex offenders may live.

Plat approved

Steve Strandlund attended the meeting to explain his request for a plat in Boettcher Farms. The board voted 4-0 to approve the preliminary and final plat for the fourth addition to Boettcher Farm Preserve.

In effect it is a development with a single lot. The drainage plan had been approved by the Planning and Zoning Committee, and all previous comments and questions had been addressed.

Hearing rescheduled

A public hearing related to a potentially dangerous animal was postponed. The hearing was for Julie Zuercher to appeal the declaration by the township that her dog, Gunner, is dangerous.

Haag said that Zuercher requested the postponement, having received the notice too late to reschedule work. The hearing was to be rescheduled for Sept. 10 and re-posted. Supervisors approved the continuance by a vote of 4-0, with Supervisor Mike Halliday absent.

Other business

In other business, the board learned the site of the burned-out house on Lyons Street will soon get a long-awaited cleanup. Final bids for the work were to be accepted through Aug. 30. Haag told the board that after Labor Day, he and Supervisor Phil Osterhus will review bids. Cars have been removed from the lot and specific trees marked for removal.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended special assessment to pay for paved improvements to an extension of Typo Creek Drive, Haag said. A decision is still pending, though a petition of 35 percent of the property owners has been submitted. The plans were to go to the Road and Bridge Committee Sept. 3.

There was discussion about allowing a blank check for paying for bills associated with Linwood Family Fun Day. The final approval will be at the Sept. 10 board meeting. Town Clerk Judy Hanna explained that there are vendors that have received partial payment and others which need to be paid before the event on Sept. 7.